Expecting a Bears receiver to produce numbers proved to be as fruitless of an endeavor as being Lindsay Lohan‘s sponsor.

The Bears have not had a receiver top 1,000 yards in the last seven seasons, with Marty Booker being the last in 2002. David Terrell, Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian have been about as welcome to Bears fans and in fantasy circles as a late-night call from Mel Gibson.

Even the much ballyhooed acquisition of QB Jay Cutler last year failed to produce a 1,000 yard receiver.

There is reason for optimism this year, though, thanks to new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who has been fantasy gold to receivers — especially No. 1 receivers — just as long as you ignore his forgettable stint with the 49ers in 2008.

The question is, who is going to be the No. 1 receiver for the Bears? Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune suggests that Devin Hester will likely be the No. 1 receiver, despite Martz comparing Hester to former St. Louis slot receiver Az-Zahir Hakim. The reason, according to Biggs, is Hester’s large contract, which is hard to justify for a slot receiver.

Hester and Johnny Knox are expected to start, but the key will be Devin Aromashodu, who developed a real chemistry with Cutler. Aromashodu has — and forgive the cliche — much more upside than the other receivers and could have a breakout season. But will he be on the field enough for that to happen?

With Lovie Smith‘s job possibly on the line, there comes a time to play players making the most money, and another to start putting the best players on the field. Who you see on the field in Week 1 is not necessarily the guy who will be there by the end of the year.

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